A grand stayer, Hourless was one of three winners of American Triple Crown races sired by 1909 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Negofol but was much the superior of either Coventry (1925 Preakness Stakes) or Vito (1928 Belmont Stakes). He was the co-champion American 3-year-old of his year along with his arch-rival, Kentucky Derby winner Omar Khayyam, who beat him in two of their three meetings. Foaled in England and imported as a yearling, Hourless was the primary reason for Negofol's importation to the United States in 1920. A useful but not exceptional sire, Hourless is primarily seen in pedigrees through his daughters Helvetia, ancestress of an excellent American branch of Family 8-h, and Late Date, granddam of 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Best in Show.

Race record

15 starts, 9 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$45,175

1917:

Won Annapolis Handicap (USA, 6FD, Laurel)

Won Eastern Shore Handicap (USA, 6FD, Havre de Grace)

Won Juvenile Stakes (USA, 5FD, Belmont)

Won Grand Union Hotel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)

Also finished first in the Nursery Handicap (USA, 6FD, Belmont) but was disqualified for interference

1918:

Won Belmont Stakes (USA, 11FD, Belmont; new track record 2:17-4/5)

Won Withers Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)

Won Southampton Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)

Won American Champion Stakes (USA, 10FD, Laurel; new track record 2:02; also seen in some records as the “McLean Memorial Championship”)

2nd Lawrence Realization (USA, 12FD, Belmont)

Honors

American co-champion 3-year-old male (1917)

Assessments

Rated second among American juvenile males of 1916 by The Blood-Horse.

As an individual

A lengthy brown horse with an excellent shoulder and powerful hindquarters, Hourless had a long stride. He did not handle off going well. He injured himself while in training early in his 4-year-old season and was retired to stud.

As a stallion

Hourless reached his peak at stud in 1931, when he was sixth on the American general sire list; he was also 10th in 1928. According to Jockey Club records, Hourless sired 130 winners (57.0%) and 17 stakes winners (7.5%) from 228 named foals.

Notable progeny

Horometer (CAN), Late Date (USA), Mike Hall (USA)

Connections

Hourless was bred and owned by August Belmont II, who imported the colt to the United States as a yearling. Hourless was trained by Sam Hildreth. He entered stud in Kentucky at Belmont's Nursery Stud in 1918.

Pedigree notes

Hourless is inbred 3x4 to nine-time English leading sire St. Simon and 5x5 to seven-time English leading sire Hermit, the 1867 Derby Stakes winner. He is a half brother to Blue Glass (by Prince Palatine), dam of 1933 Belmont Stakes winner Hurryoff (by Haste), English stakes winner Unbreakable (by Sickle) and multiple American stakes winners Blind Play (by Fair Play) and Broadside (by Man o' War); she is also the second dam of multiple stakes winner Impromptu. Hourless is also a half brother to Hour Hand (by Ethelbert), dam of 1923 Coaching Club American Oaks winner How Fair (by Fair Play) and multiple Canadian stakes winner Horologe (by St. Amant).

Hour Glass II is a half sister to 1902 Jockey Club Stakes winner Rising Glass (by Isinglass) and is out of Hautesse II (by Archiduc). The next dam in the lineage, Hauteur (by Rosicrucian), won the 1883 One Thousand Guineas and also produced Hautesse II's full sister Harfleur, second dam of 1911 Prix du Jockey-Club winner and two-time French champion sire Alcantara II.